Friendly reminder of friendliness all around

I had to take my car in for service and as some may know, living on the beach and having to venture off into “mainland” is always an adventure and an eye opener…mostly an eye opener to the situations that many people have to face in this economy.We live in a beautiful bubble in Miami Beach and probably more so in South of Fifth….nevertheless, I know there are a lot of people that are unemployed…I just don’t see them that often.So, as I was making my way back to the 826 East, I saw an elderly man selling waters at the street corner.It tugged on my heartstrings…an elderly man, a hot sun, a busy (and dangerous) street…I put down my window with full intention of paying whatever price he was asking for his Zephyrhills water.He was there working hard and making an honest living…and I was thinking I would do him a favor and buy a bottle or two.He very eagerly came over and said to me “un dollar”.I went to dig into my purse and much to my surprise, I did not have one single dollar in my purse/wallet/glove compartment.

I apologized that I didn’t have it and that next time I would buy water from him….

He replied “it would make my heart break for you to leave and be thirsty. Please take this water. Es free”

And that was it….it came from the heart, he had no motives and he truly meant what he said….I accepted his water, thanked him and smiled.Five minutes earlier, I had thought I would be doing something for him and instead…he did me the favor and reminded me that generosity is not always done with money…and more often than not, the most generous things we can receive come in the way of actions and words.

I took that happy feeling all the way back over the bridge and straight into my home.